Olympic Champion Mary Lou Retton Arrested for DUI
UPDATE: 6/10/25 at 6:45 p.m. ET — Retton has spoken out following her DUI arrest in West Virginia last month.
“I take full responsibility for my actions. What occurred was entirely unacceptable,” she stated to Us Weekly. “I offer no excuses. To my family, friends, and fans: I have disappointed you, and I am truly sorry.”
The former Olympian added: “I am committed to learning and growing from this experience and am dedicated to making positive changes in my life. Your concern, encouragement, and support mean a great deal to me.”
Retton’s statement followed her no contest plea to a non-aggravated DUI charge related to the incident. The athlete was fined $100, and her attorney, Edmund J. Rollo, requested “privacy as she navigates her personal and professional life moving forward.”
Original story below:
Olympic gold-medalist Mary Lou Retton was reportedly arrested for DUI in West Virginia earlier this month.
According to documents obtained by People on Monday, May 26, Retton, 57, was arrested on Saturday, May 17, facing a single count of “driving under the influence of alcohol, controlled substances, or drugs.” The West Virginia Magistrate Court records were cited by the outlet.
Retton promptly posted a personal recognizance bond of $1,500, issued by the court on the day of her arrest.
Us Weekly has reached out to Retton’s team for a statement.
The retired gymnast made history at the 1984 Summer Olympics, becoming the first American woman to win gold in the individual all-around competition.
In October 2023, she spent two weeks in the ICU battling a rare form of pneumonia. During her hospitalization, her daughters initiated a crowdsourcing fund to cover her medical expenses but faced online criticism for their efforts.
“They didn’t deserve that,” Retton shared with Entertainment Tonight in May 2024. “They were simply trying to care for me. I disregard the naysayers. Trolls are everywhere—it’s part of America. Everyone has an opinion, but it is what it is.”
Retton revealed that her finances suffered after her 2018 divorce from Shannon Kelley and the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“When COVID hit, it truly struck—our job involves being close to people and communicating, so there was no work at all,” she explained regarding her decreased speaking engagements. “Let’s say that the peak of my fame was years ago, and I was just managing to get by, paying my bills.”
Retton has four daughters: Shayla, 30, McKenna, 28, Skyla, 25, and Emma, 22, with Kelley. Shortly after her hospitalization, McKenna launched a spotfund that exceeded its original $50,000 goal.
“It’s a very prolonged recovery; I’m still reliant on oxygen and experienced a bit of a relapse recently, but I am stabilizing,” Retton shared last year. “It’s more discouraging than anything because patience isn’t my strong suit. I’m tired of having this device up my nose. I’m a speaker and haven’t been able to work because I’m uncertain if I can deliver a one-hour talk like I’ve done for 40 years. That’s frustrating.”
Despite her hurdles, Retton expressed gratitude for her life and the support of her daughters.
“They were incredibly strong,” she reflected. “I can’t imagine them witnessing me on the brink of death, and I don’t exaggerate when I say that I was. They inspire me daily; they are extraordinary young women and my greatest achievements. I would trade my five medals for my daughters any day.”
